Backpack Europe and Budget Travel: Traveling in Portugal
Traveling in Portugal
Portugal was once one of the mightiest sea-faring countries in the world. As a result, modern day Portugal is full of culture and history, natural beauty and wild night life.
Backpacking Portugal - Quick Facts
Local Language: Portuguese resembles most latin languages, though it is distinctly different. If you speak Spanish, it will help you quite a bit however English isn't spoken much outside of Portugal's tourist areas.
Visa Requirements: Canadians are allowed in Portugal for 90 days without a visa.
Health Risks: None
Costs: Portugal is a little bit cheaper than the rest of Western Europe however it's still a little pricey. Self-catering always cuts the costs, especially at the many Portuguese markets. Budget $40 Canadian per day.
View of the forest around Sintra
My Travels in Portugal
I spent about a week Traveling through Portugal and could have spent much more. Lisbon is a really fun city, once you learn your way around, and nearby cities such as Sintra give you another taste of Portuguese culture and history. If you're looking for the beach, head south to the Algarve, but be prepared with a hefty wallet. It's one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations and as a result prices are sky-high, and the whole are caters to foreigners. Not the place for people looking for the real Portugal, but good beaches none the less.
Heading into Lisbon you'll probably have to take a night train from Madrid. It's a long haul and you'll make a little adventure out of it probably. It'll be packed with backpackers and you're bound to make some friends along the way.
Hostels are plentiful and you'll most likely be approached as soon as you get off the train. Make a reservation as soon as possible though, because the hostels fill up quite quickly. Everyone on that night train is going to be rushing the phones and calling up all the hostels. Beat the rush and call ahead.
Also, watch out for pick pockets an petty crime. I met a few people who had wallets stolen and so on. Use your head, be smart, and you shouldn't have much trouble. One at the Lisbon train station I was waiting for awhile for my train. I watched as a group of about five men would split up and go to different parts of the station. Each one would ask people standing in line "I need a little more cash for my train, can you help." After 20 minutes or so then men would meet again in another part of the station and pool their money together, then split up again and switch sections. Be careful with your money.
For Portuguese and European travel guidebooks, check here:
Portuguese and European Guidebooks
Hotels and Hostels in Portugal
Portugal is a prime tourist destination with lots of places to stay however you're wise to make a reservation as Lisbon and other tourist cities fill up rather quickly in the summer. There are plenty of hostels and hotels, but getting a room is never guaranteed.
Hotels in Portugal
For hotels in Portugal, check out the link below:
Cheap Hotels and Hostels in Portugal
Trains to Lisbon and Portugal
Chances are, if you're taking the train to Portugal, you'll arrive in Lisbon. You'll probably end up having to take a night train via Madrid to get there as well. It's a long trip and in the summer it will be packed with people. Get a reservation as soon as possible, and even then, you may have to boot someone out of your seat. Stick to your guns and get a train officer if necessary. I remember the night train between Lisbon and Madrid as one of the most packed I'd ever been on. You can either stay up all night with the other backpackers or try to get some sleep if you have a reservation.
Eurail passes cover Portugal, and are definitely worth purchasing as the train is the best way to get around the country as with most of Europe.
Cheap Train and Eurail Passes
For more information about the Portuguese rail system itself, click here:
http://www.cp.pt/
For car rentals in Portugal try:
Flights to Portugal
Lisbon is well connected to the rest of the world. Depending on where you're flying to, you may have some short stops on some of the islands such as Mallorca or Ibiza. You can also find some cheap last minute deals to the Algarve and Lisbon as well, as there's a lot of charter flights that go out there.
Cheap flights to Lisbon, Portugal
Portuguese Language
Portuguese resembles most latin languages, though it is distinctly different. If you speak Spanish, it will help you quite a bit however English isn't spoken much outside of Portugal's tourist areas. Learning some Portuguese will go a long way in helping you get along with the locals.
Canuck Abroad's Portuguese Travel Dictionary
One of Lisbon's famous trams
Portugal Travel Links
Tourism Portugal - Official tourism site of Portugal
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